The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1887-11-26
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
(From our Regular Correspondent

w ASH1NGTON. NOV, Y, lSS7.-The
Congress about to convene / regard
in many respects as the most import
ant that ever assembled under our
form of Government. Never before
has a similar contingency existed
where the party in power propose to
elect Speaker whose right to seat
is very questionable. and will be most
seriously contested. There are nu-
merous indications to strengthen the
belief that the Administration in
tends to hold tight rein, and needs
just such man as Mr.. Carlisle in the
chair to effectuaIly carry out the pro-
gramme. The possibility that the
election of the President may be
thrown into the House, renders the
organization of that body of the
utmost importance. While the Re-
publicans have a majority of the
States in the House, the Democrats
have majority of the members. It
only needs change of two seats to
give the Democrats majority of the
States. and Mr.. Carlisle's committee
on elections will be organized for that
purpose. Indiana, for instance. has
seven Republicans and six Demo-
Gratis. and the seat of one of the Re.
publicans is contested. Suppose Car
isles partizan committee seats the
Democrat, Indiana then passes into
the Democratic column. So with
California, where is another contest.
and so with Michigan, where there
are strong limitations that a case will
be made up. The Administration is
ready to resort 10 desperate means to
hold its power, and the struggle will
be fierce one.
Several weeks ago l alluded to Mr..
Mills, of Texas, radical free trader,
as the probable chairman of the COM
mittee on Ways and Means. He
says the question is settled, and that
he has that committee, which signi.
fies red hot war on the present tariff
system. l want to predict further
that it will end in buster, and that
after all there will be no very mate
rial changes. The Democratic party
is good on "dress parade" but sadly
! deficient IN materializing legislation.
During the war you will remember
that large amount of paper frac-
tional currency was issued, and the
books at the Treasury show that
there is still outstanding over S15,-
100000 of that currency, though it
was called in more than twelve years
ago, There is none in circulation
now, and the question comes up,
where is it? Has it been destroyed,
is it held in bits by the people as
souvenirs? In this connection it is
estimated that $40. ZOO, 900 of currency
is annually destroyed by fire and
ship wreck. and possibly there is
where this fractional currency has
gone.
Candidates for subordinate official
positions in the organization of the
next House, are multiplying daily.
The S puthern States are turning them
out by the score, and one would think
from the clamor that that is the only
section of the country that can furn-
ish good Democratic material. They
want everything from Clerk to Post
master. Northern Democrats are dis
gusted with this exhibition of AFRO
gance, and threaten lively times in
caucus if this packing process is to
continue.
For the past three days there has
been all manner of rumors in regard
to Cabinet changes, bat up to this
writing no decisive action. The most
plausible story is that Villas will re.
main where he is Senator Colquitt,
of Georgia, takes Lamar's place, and
Governor Gordon succeed Colquitt
in the Senate. Colquitt is not talk
ing man, Gordon is, and the admin
istration needs more of that sort in
the Senate to meet the Republican
giants.
Ex- Secretary Chandler, of the
Navy, now Senator from New Hamp-
shire, has several big guns loaded
which he will let off in due time
about certain naval contracts under
this Administration. Chandler never
talks unless he has something to say,
and Secretary Whitney may have to
stand up and explain some very du.
bious transactions. 1t is understood
here that Chandler is we'll equipped
for the fray.
In his annual report, the Inspector
General of steamboats,, estimates that
during the past year 500, 200, 900 pas
sengers were carried on Steam YES
sells, and out of that vast aggregate,
Cnly 30 lives were lost, This wouId |